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When Trump raises funds for Trump at the Trump Hotel

Thu, Jun 29, 2017 - 6:40 AM

The next US election is still more than 1,200 days away, but Donald Trump is already drumming up cash to pay for his campaign - and chose the Trump International Hotel, two steps from the White House, as a fundraising venue.

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

[WASHINGTON] The next US election is still more than 1,200 days away, but Donald Trump is already drumming up cash to pay for his campaign - and chose the Trump International Hotel, two steps from the White House, as a fundraising venue.

On Wednesday, the 45th president of the United States will take part in a dinner benefiting the Republican Party and his own re-election bid, with a seat at the table reportedly starting at US$35,000 - and rising to US$100,000 for super donors.

The White House is upfront about the president's intention to seek a second term.

The US leader himself has often referred to his plans for the eight years to come.

While the phenomenon leaves many uncomfortable, it has long been part of American political life for the president to contribute star power to fundraising events - be it for his party or his own cause.

But in the case of the business mogul-turned-president Trump, things are a bit more complicated: the rich donors coming to hear to him speak Wednesday night will be contributing not only to his future campaign, but to his real estate empire as well.

Protest

Some 200 Democratic lawmakers recently sued the president, arguing that he is violating the Constitution by accepting foreign payments through his empire of hotels, golf courses and other properties.

A separate suit filed by the attorneys general of Maryland and the US capital claims the Trump International Hotel, which opened a few weeks before the November election, enjoys an unfair advantage over rival venues due to its links to the presidency.

Both lawsuits are underpinned by the notion that Mr Trump is embroiled in a permanent conflict of interest, having failed to put sufficient distance between himself and his business empire: while the billionaire has entrusted his sons with day-to-day management of the Trump Organisation, he retains his full stake.

The plaintiffs note, for instance, that foreign delegations regularly opt to stay at Mr Trump's hotel when in Washington, that foreign governments have chosen to buy or rent property built by the Trump Organisation, or that Chinese authorities have registered Trump-owned trademarks.

The location of Mr Trump's luxury hotel, in a renovated former post office building, is a symbol in itself - on Pennsylvania Avenue, which links the White House to the Capitol, the seat of legislative power.

Several non-governmental organisations are planning to protest outside the venue on Wednesday evening.

"Donald Trump is once again shamelessly using his position as president to line his pockets," wrote Public Citizen, one of the groups taking part, on its Facebook page.